Lock



E. W. NORTH Nov. 15, 1938.

LOCK

Filed Jan. 25, 1933 2Sheets-Sheet l E. W. NORTH Nov. 15, 1938.

LOCK

Filed Jan. 23, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 15, 1938 OFFICE LOCK Edwin W. North, .Rockford,.lll.,.assignorto National Look 00., Rockford, .Ill., acorporation of Delaware Application January 23, 1933, Serial No. 653,031

Claims.

This invention relates to permutation locks, and more particularly to permutation padlocks.

Objectsof'the invention are: toprovide an improved-permutation locking mechanism of the type comprising disk tumblers and a lockbolt controlled thereby; to provide an improved mechanism'of said type which will automatically assume locked condition when the lock bolt is thrown to position for looking; to provide an improved mechanism of said type having means for releasably holding the mechanism in the release condition and means for automatically effecting locking action when thelock bolt is thrown to locked position; to provide in a shackle lock an improved locking mechanism which will automatically lock the shackle, the locking action of which is caused by inserting the shackle in position to be locked, and the release condition of which is effected by operation of permutation controlled means; and toprovide certain 'detail features of improvement.

The invention will be described with reference to an illustrative embodiment'thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, andwill be .more

25 particularly pointed out in theclaims following the description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the illustrative lock, which is a permutation padlock of the slid- 30- ing shackle type.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the lock with the front housing plate and parts associated therewith removed, showing the shackle-locking mechanism in the unlocked condition and showing the 35 shackle pulled out.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the shackle inserted in position to be locked and engaged by the lock bolt but showing the disk tumblers in release position to allow the pulling out of the shackle.

Fig. 5 is a section taken at right angles to the section shown in Fig. 3.

The remaining figures are detail views, Fig. 6 being a holding pawl, Fig. 7 a spring washer, Fig. 8 the lock bolt, Fig. 9 a pawl which functions in the automatic locking operation, Fig. 10 a spacing washer between disk tumblers, Figs. 11, 12 and 13the disk tumblers, and Fig. 14 a spacer element.

As shown in the drawings, the lock shackle I has a notch 2 to receive the projecting nose '3 of a swinging lockbolt 5. This lock bolt is pivoted on the fixed stud 4. The shackle l is represented as a sliding U-shaped shackle having arms of unequal length. When the shackle is forced home in the lock housing, its short arm operates against a member 6 of the lock bolt, thereby actuating the lock bolt in a manner to swing the projection 3 605: into the shackle notc-h. In thispositionthe lock bolt islocked by a set-of disk tumblers coacting with an index m-ember' l of the lock bolt. 'When the "disk tumblers are adjusted to release the lock bolt,=-thepulling out of the shacklewill swing thelock boltback to the position shown in Fig. 2, this movement being eifected by coaction of the bottomwallofthe shackle notch with the under side of thelockbolt projection3. In the release position shown inFig. 2, thelock bolt is held by a pawl hereinafter'described, as shown in Fig. 8,

t'helock bolt is constructed asa plate having flanged parts providingthe functional members 3, 6 and l, and provided with a notch 8 for-engagement withtheholding pawl. Said plate is formed with an elongated opening 9 to accommodate'the axle of the disk-tumblers, said opening being of appropriate length to allow the swinging of the lock boltto its opposite positions.

The disktumblers I0, I I, I2, otherwise referred to as permutation disks-are elements of a well known *typeofzpermutation mechanism-including a dialing means-the rotary member of which is operatively connected-with'one of the disks; the other disksbeing independently rotatably mounted and each of the diskshaving a shoulder or projection in *thepath ofrotation on the adjacent disk, so' that by a-predetermined"manipulation of the rotary dialing member, for working the combination" for'whichthe'lock is set, the disks are brought-toaposition'to allow the release movement .of'the lock bolt. "Such release movement of :the.lockbolt-ispermitted'by entry of the index member 1 into recesses or slots 13 of the' disks, such. slots having been brought into registration :in a positiontoallow such entryby the aforesaid manipulation of the dialing means.

,Dialing means is provided as shown in Figs. 1 and May arotary dial plate 15 mounted on the front of thelock housing,'operable by'the knob l6, and a fixed pointerl'l shown'in Fig. 1 as a notch int-he'frontface of the lock housing. The dialknob l5, whichis-rotatably mounted on a fixedshaft or axle 18, "has a reduced extension which "passes through the front wall'of the lock housing and carries thefirst' permutation disk I0, whichis-fast on-the inner end of said extension. The other-two disks are loosely rotatably mounte'd'on-said shaft or-a-xle 1-8, with-interposed nonrotatable spacing washers l9" keyedto the axle.

'The severaldi-sks are shown in detail in Figs. 11 to '13. The "first disk lllhas-theyprojection II] to "encounter-the projection Il of the second disk ll, whichhas also the'projectionl I to encounter 'the projection 12* of the third disk l2, whereby the disks can pick up one another as the'first disk is rotated by the dial knob. A predetermined rotatlon of the dial knob inonedirection will set the third disk in-the position shown in Figs. .2 :and 4; a predetermined rotation 0f the .dial iqknob in :the opposite direction will set the second disk in the same position, and a final predetermined rotation of the dial knob in the same direction as the first rotation will set the first disk in said position, whereupon the shackle can be pulled out with'accompanying displacement of the lock bolt 5 to the unlocking or release position shown in Fig. 2.

In addition to the slots or recesses I3, the disks also have peripheral notches I4, which are brought into registration with one another when the disks are adjusted to the release position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The purpose of the notches shown in Figs. 11 to 13, the peripheries of the disk may also be provided with evenlydistrib'-- periphery of the plate portion of the lock bolt by the spring 22. This. spring which is coiled around the stud 2I reacts between thelock housing and the projectionv 23 on the pawl, the tension of the spring being such that the pawl bears against the periphery of the plate portion of the lock bolt with considerable force. When the lock bolt is swung to the release position shown in Fig. 2, the pawl engages the notch 8 of the lock bolt plate, thereby latching the lock bolt :in said position. The periphery of the lock bolt". plate is indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the pawl isin engagement with said notch. The shape or" the pawl and notch are such that a forced rotation of thelock bolt from the position shown in Fig. 2 towards the position shown in Fig. 4 will cam thepawl out of the notch. Hence the lock bolt can be swung into the shackle-engag ing. position'shown in Fig. 4 by inserting the short arm' ofv the shackle into the lock housing and 'forci'ng' the shackle home.

The mechanism includes. means whereby the swinging of the lock bolt tothe position shown X in Fig.4 is accompanied by an'automaticderanging of the disk tumblers to .efiect the automatic locking of the mechanism. Thejm'eans for this purpose .will now be described. The lock bolt plate carries a pawl 25 which ;is pivotally and. slidably attached thereto by meansof the pivot stud 26 passing through the slot 21 in said pawl. A coiled spring 29 is connected atone endwith the lock housing and at the other end with said pawl 25. This spring is contracted whenthe parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, and is; stretched when the lock bolt is swungto the release position shown i F g 2. Therefore the spring 29 tends to pull the lock boltto the Fig. 4 positions Howeverwhen the lock bolt is swung to the position shown in Fig. 2 it will remain-Yin such position because the tension of the spring 22 is sufiicient to hold the pawl 20 in engagement with the notched part 8 of: the lock bolt plate, orin other words a greater forcethan that ex-' erted by the spring 29 will be needed to cam the pawl 28 out of the notch. 8, The pawl 25 has a. projection 28 which engages in the peripheral notches I4 of the disk-tumblers when the parts are in the position shown inu-Fig. 2-. Now when the shackle is forcedhomain the locklhousing.

I4 will be presently explained.

it actuates the lock bolt, camming the pawl 28 out of the notch 8 and swinging the lock-bolt projection 3 into the shackle notch as previously explained. In the beginning of this movement of the lock bolt, the index member I is passing out of the slots I3 of the disk tumblers, which of'course are prevented from rotating or freely rotating until the index member has fully passed out. Hence the pawl 25, which is held by the 'retractile spring 29 with its projecting lug or finger 28 entering the notches I4 of the disk tumblers, will be restrained from movement by said tumblers. That is to say, when the lug 28 abuts against the left-hand walls of the disk notches I4, the pawl will be restrained from moving with the lock bolt until the index member I moves out of the disk slots I3. The capacity for rotation of the lock bolt independently of the pawl 25 is allowed by the pin and slot connection at 26, 21. As soon however as the index member leaves the disk slots I3, the pawl 25 will be jerked by the spring 29 to the position shown in Fig. 4. This has the eifect of rotating the disk tumblers out of the release position. The rotation of the first tumbler I8 causes a corresponding rotation of the dial plate from the position to which it was set for unlocking, while two other tumblers being loose are rotated or spun so as to carry their slots I3 out of registration with the slot of the first disk. It will be understood that at the instant the pawl 25 is jerked by the spring 29, the lug 28 of said pawl is bearing against the left-hand walls of the disk notches I 4, so that the tumblers are given a forcible rotation accompanying the movement of the pawl 25 to the position shown in Fig. 4. In this movement the lug 28' is carried clear of the tumblers, so that in the position of the parts shown in Fig. 4 there is nothing to prevent the dialing operation to adjust the tumblers for unlocking.

The operation is briefly summarized as follows: Assume the mechanism to be in a locked condition. The unlocked condition, represented in Fig. 4, is established by performing the necessary dialing operation to adjust the disk tumblers so as to bring their slots I3 to the position indicated in Fig. 4. This condition being established, the lock shackle can be pulled out, thereby swinging the lockbolt to the position shown in Fig. 2, against the resistance of the spring 29. In this operation, the index member I passes into the slots I3; the lug or finger 28 of the pawl 25 engages in the registering notches I4; and the pawl 25 engages the notch 8 of the lock bolt plate, the spring 22 which actuates said pawl 20 being suficiently strong to cause the dog tohold the lock bolt in the position shown in Fig. 2. Since the index member I remains in the disk tumblers, their adjustment is preserved, so that it will not be necessary to perform a redialing operation to permit the reinsertion of the shackle. When the shackle is reinserted and forced home, it actuates the lock bolt, camming the holdingdog 20 out of the notch 8, and swinging the lock bolt projection 3 into the shackle notch 2. In this movement, while the index member I is passing out of the slots I3 but before it has fully passed out, the pivot stud 26 of the pawl 25 can move in the slot 2?, the movement of said pawl 25 being restrained by the engagement of its finger 23 against the left-hand walls of the disk notches I 4; As soon as the index finger is clear of the disk tumblers, the spring jerks the pawl 25, causing a deranging of the disk tumblers, at the same time turning the dial. Thus the mechanism automatically locks, whileby virtue of the rotation of the dial no clue is left as to the last number of the lock combination.

If anyone after unlocking and pulling out the shackle should tamper with the mechanism by inserting a pointed tool to force the lock bolt to the locked position, the mechanism can be restored to regular condition by redialing to adjust the disk tumblers to release position and then forcing in the shackle, since the end of the short arm of the shackle bearing on the curved upper surface of the lock bolt projection 3 will exert a camming action by which the lock bolt will be swung back to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Certain constructional features of the illustrative lock will now be described.

The lock housing is shown as comprising two sheet metal parts, namely the cup-shaped rear housing member 30 and flanged front plate 3! which is fitted in said rear housing member and permanently retained by spinning the housing rim over the front plate as indicated at 32 in Figs. 2 and 5. The front plate is formed to provide an annular shoulder 33 surrounding the rotary dial plate l5. Fitted in the rear housing member is a flanged liner plate 34 the flange of which abuts the flange of the front plate. This liner plate 34 has the axle l8 affixed thereto, and is provided withthe pivot stud 4 of the swinging lock bolt and the stud 2| of the holding dog 28. Said liner plate 34 is virtually a part of the lock housing and is made as a separate part for manufacturing convenience and to stiffen and reinforce the sheet metal housing.

The element shown in Fig. 14 is keyed on the axle I8. This element consists of a plate 35 arranged between the lock bolt plate and innermost disk tumbler, said plate having the arcuate spacing flanges 36 bearing against the front plate 3| A leaf spring device 31 shown in detail in Fig. '7 is keyed on the axle between the member 35 and innermost disk tumbler to take up clearance.

The long shank of the shackle is swiveled and slidably secured in the lock housing, being provided with the reduced portion 40 which is guided in a guide provided by cooperating ears 38 and 39 struck up from the liner plate 34 and front plate 3| of the housing. The shoulder 4| on the end of the long shank of the shackle limits its outward movement.

The dial plate I5 is affixed to the dial knob IE to rotate therewith. The dial knob has a portion of reduced diameter rotatably fitted in a central opening of the front housing plate 3| and the first disk tumbler I is fastened on the reduced inner end of the dial knob at the inner side of the said front plate 3|.

In Figs. 3 and 5, the numeral 42 denotes a click ring which is affixed to the dial knob and yieldingly pressed by the undulating or wavy sheet metal ring 43 against the front housing plate 3|, said ring being formed with a rib (not shown) which rides on an annular ribbed surface of the plate 3| so as to produce a click every time the dial knob is turned one notch.

It will be understood that the specific construction embodied in the illustrative lock is exemplary, and that changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement, so that the foregoing description is not to be taken as limiting the invention otherwise than as defined by the claims.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a permutation lock having disk tumblers and dialing means including a rotatable operating knob, a lock housing comprising a cup-shaped rear housing member and flanged front member fitted therein, a flanged liner fitted in said rear housing member, the flanges of said liner and front member abutting and the rim of the rear housing member being spun over the front member, the dialing means being arranged on the front member, an axle projecting from said liner on which said knob is rotatably mounted, one of said tumblers being attached to said knob, and the other tumblers being loosely mounted on said axle, said lock bolt being movably mounted on said liner, and a spacing element comprising a plate keyed to said axle between the liner and adjacent disk tumbler, said spacing element having flanges abutting said front housing member.

2. In a permutation lock having disk tumblers and dialing means including a rotatable operating knob, a lock housing comprising a cupshaped rear housing member and flanged front member fitted therein, a flanged liner fitted in said rear housing member, the flanges of said liner and front member abutting and the rim of the rear housing member being spun over the front member, the dialing means being arranged on the front member, an axle projecting from said liner on which said knob is rotatably mounted, one of said tumblers being attached to said knob, and the other tumblers being loosely mounted on said axle, said lock bolt comprising a plate pivoted to and resting against said liner, said plate having an elongated opening through which said axle extends.

3. In a permutation lock having disk tumblers and dialing means including an operating knob, a lock housing-comprising rear and front members fitted together, the rim of the rear member being spun over the edge of the front member, the dialing means being carried by the front member, an axle on which said knob is mounted, a tumbler attached to the knob, tumblers mounted on said axle, a lock bolt, and a spacing element keyed to the axle and having flanges abutting said front housing member.

4. In a permutation lock, the combination of a housing comprising a cup-shaped rear member and a flanged front member secured together, a flanged liner in the rear housing having its flanges abutting said front member, dialing means mounted on the front member, an axle projecting from said liner, a knob rotatably mounted thereon, a tumbler attached to said knob, tumblers loosely mounted on theaxle, a lock bolt mounted on the liner, and a spacing element keyed to the axle between the liner and an adjacent disk tumbler, said spacing element having projecting portions abutting said front housing member.

5. In a permutation lock including disk tumblers and a rotatable operating knob, the combination of a housing comprising a cup-shaped member and a companion member attached thereto, a flanged liner in said housing, an axle projecting from said liner upon which said knob is mounted, a lock bolt movably mounted on the liner, and a flanged spacing element fixed to said axle and abutting one member of said housing.

EDWIN W. NORTH. 

